Vick will start, says he will play safer

Michael Vick said Monday that he expects to start against the Dolphins this weekend and Eagles coach Andy Reid confirmed the plan is for Vick to be back under center.

According to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, Vick hasn’t experienced any setbacks in practice this week and is on target to end his three-game absence. The focus now shifts to keeping him in the lineup, something that Vick addressed on Wednesday.

“Sliding. Getting down,” Vick said in response to a question about how he’ll avoid missing more time. “I’ve made my mind up. There’s going to be times when I can’t get the extra yards. I gotta get down. I get too caught up in the game sometimes, but that leads to me being sidelined, not being accountable for the team on Sunday.”

It is certainly the right idea, but it isn’t quite as easy as just sliding instead of trying for extra yardage. Vick’s instincts, the moments when he gets “too caught up in the game”, are part of what make him such a dynamic player on the field. You have to wonder if the extra moment of thought about whether or not to slide (or anything that takes Vick out of the moment, really) will wind up having a detrimental effect on his performance.

Staying healthy is paramount, obviously, so it makes for an interesting balancing act for Vick and the Eagles over the next four games and the next few seasons.

No2w that I’ve seen Vince Young play, keeping Vick healthy is job #1, if he fails to gain a few extra yards on a few plays here or there, it’s fine as long as I don’t have to watch Young play. And while we’re at it; Jeremy Maclin whatever you have Sunday will be fine, just don’t make me watch Riley Cooper play anymore.

thats the problem by playing safe that means standing in the pocket until the last minute takin hits. he needs to go back to the old mike vick if the play is not ther take off just slide instead of looking for contact. offensive line cant block that long

dawkinseffect says:Dec 7, 2011 5:43 PM

so does that mean he will throw more interceptions since he is afraid to run out of the pocket?

weepingjebus says:Dec 7, 2011 5:45 PM

Ugh, was hoping he’d stay out. He’s ok in the games, but those press conferences afterwards where he contorts his dead-eyed face into what he thinks human beings see as a grin are downright chilling.

This year, Vick’s injuries (concussion/neck, finger, and ribs) have all been sustained while in the pocket. So, while sliding we be helpful, until he learns to throw more in rhythm and/or Andy and Marty design more 3-5 step drops, he’ll continue to be hit.

brettfavresmidget says:Dec 7, 2011 6:14 PM

“This is really sad that the Eagles are relying on a QB who is 30 and can’t read defenses, can’t get the ball out in under 4 seconds, and still doesn’t know how to slide.”

McNabb knows how to slide.

tramonisland says:Dec 7, 2011 6:29 PM

ya great idea mike, your team will really need you healthy for the playoffs they are going to be watching on tv.

bringbacktheflex says:Dec 7, 2011 6:34 PM

He’ll play it safe. This means he will have to rely on his QB skills. That will show how poor they are. He is not a franchise QB and Reid was an idiot for building the team around this guy.

The fact of the matter is that Vick’s most recent injury didn’t happen when he was scrambling. It happened when he was drilled in the ribs by a pass rusher while he was in the pocket. Vick would be much better served if he learned to read through his progressions and get the ball out quicker.

Safer means suckier, he has no natural QB talents, if he doesnt run around he is useless!
Miami wins big time.

Signing Vick to a big contract is the worst the Lurie/Banner/Roseman move yet. It will cost reid his job, but the dopey brain trust will still be here, next year is already lost too!

eaglesnoles05 says:Dec 7, 2011 7:27 PM

Lol, I certainly understand the criticism and hate, and I even understand the many shortcomings he has (including, but not limited to, the fact that he is a psychopath), but the dude isn’t THAT bad of a qb. C’mon man.

Was going to say am I the only person who notices how jealous, and how sad of lives these people live on here? Nothing but negative all the time, a real sports fan can give credit where it’s due…look I’m an eagles fan I can’t stand tons of players, but I’m not ripping them every chance I get….Vick is an above average QB that over half the losers on here would LoVe to have on their teams. Any real sports fans on here?

uhh…don’t think sliding head first is such a good idea, unless you want to risk a concussion/neck injury. And if you fumble while sliding head first (see Eli last year against the eagles) it’s a live ball.

Safer means suckier, he has no natural QB talents, if he doesnt run around he is useless!
Miami wins big time.

Signing Vick to a big contract is the worst the Lurie/Banner/Roseman move yet. It will cost reid his job, but the dopey brain trust will still be here, next year is already lost too!
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If Vick has no natural QB talents then why is he a starting QB in the NFL ?

toegoat says:Dec 7, 2011 10:37 PM

He got hit in the pocket though when he got hurt.

bringbacktheflex says:Dec 8, 2011 11:57 AM

He’s faster and niftier than Tebow, but much more fragile. He’s a better passer than Tebow too, but then so is my niece.